Wind, hurricane, and cold protection devices

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns devices protecting a frangible object against high wind loads, described in several embodiments including cushioning means, performed as differently shaped chambers or bladder-panels, inflated by fluid, substantially compressed air, preferably enclosed into fence means, interconnected by connecting means, essentially hoses, positioned in front of and mostly attached to the outward object&#39;s surface, except where separated from the object&#39;s structure particularly protecting against vibrations caused by winds. The fence means, proposed in several combinations, preferably performed as flexible covers coupled with fence screens, protect against windborne debris. Multi-layer versions provide increased damping of wind loads and covering any part of the object&#39;s surface. Control means, controlling the damping, generally include sensor means, control valve connecting units, central control unit, regulating the fluid flow inside the cushioning means. Proposed MID-devices provide additional wind damping, also used for heater pads in clothes, footwear, producing electricity, alternative mechanical forces, etc.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to devices protecting a building, modularhome, transportation means, etc. against heavy winds, hurricanes, andmissiles carried by such winds. It also introduces a MID-device capableto be used in cushioning of the high winds, in personal means ofprotection against cold weather, generation of electricity, producingalternative mechanical forces, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As known, every year heavy winds, hurricanes, and tornados cause tragicloss of lives and enormous property damages. Naturally, people havetaken numerous steps to protect themselves from those disasters. Somesolutions are dedicated to aboveground weather shelters secured to theearth, but most of them are heavy weighted and expensive (e.g., heavysteel cables and rods are used to anchor a dome covering the object tobe protected to a concrete base), require extensive concrete works onthe site and are often impractical to protect regular private houses. Incontrast, other weather shelters are weak and incapable to withstandhigh wind loads.

Usual protection measures in high wind conditions involve the use ofspecial shields and panels, often called shutters, being installed onwindows and other parts outside of building structures. Typically, theshutters are expensive, cumbersome, made from stiff, heavy, and costlymaterials, require unsightly and difficult-to-mount reinforcing bars atmultiple locations. As opposed to the stiff shutters, there is a lot ofpatents that teach the utilization of knitted or woven fabric such asnetting, tarpaulins, drop cloths, blankets, sheets wrapping and the likefor anchoring down recreational vehicles, nurseries, loose soil etc.However, they are not intended nor are capable of withstanding theforces of missile-like objects carried by hurricanes or heavy winds.

There is a recent solution based on flexible materials capable ofwithstanding high wind loading or impact loads without bursting, taughtby the U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,852 to Gower, teaching a fabric barrierdisposed in front of the building or structure to be protected, andanchored on opposing edges, to form a curtain sufficiently spaced fromthe frangible area to contain the impact of foreign objects hurled bythe high winds. It can also serve to tie down the roof and protect itfrom blowing off. The barrier does not have rigidity and is veryflexible. It is placed a distance out from the surface to be protected.The protection effect is caused by stretching the barrier's material,which slows down the flying missile or absorbs the wind load. Thedistance from the frangible object can basically be calculated by aformula, disclosed by Gower, where the distance depends on theproperties of the fabric and the span of the barrier. The distance isalso affected by additional deflection from wind pressure and from slackfrom an improper installation.

Therefore, the required distance should be measured and arranged whenthe installation takes place (usually in absence of high winds) andfurther maintained, for example, when a hurricane occurs. Apparently,the deflection during the high wind conditions will be greater than inabsence of such conditions. Since the lower edge of the barrier isessentially attached to ground based anchors, the locations of theanchors are determined during the installation and difficult to changeafterwards. Thus, the installation of the barrier will most likelyrequire a qualified specialist to more or less correctly mount andconfigure the barrier. Further, if the barrier is attached to or coversthe roof and ties it down, then the barrier must be physically connectedwith the structure of the object to be protected. This will necessarilycause vibrations of the structure during high wind conditions. Moreover,the tie-down forces and torques caused by the winds on the windy side ofthe object's roof will be different from the forces and torques on theopposite side of the roof, which may negatively affect structuralelements of the object to be protected. Also, while the barrier seams tobe effective in protection against flying debris, the cushion effectagainst the wind load will most likely be limited to the textile'selasticity or stretchability, which would usually decrease, when thestrength characteristic of the textile is increased. Consequently, abarrier made of durable and firm fabric, having a limitedstretchability, will transfer a substantial part of the wind impact tothe means attached to the barrier, such as straps, battens, anoverhanging eave of the roof, etc., usually secured to the buildingstructure, causing negative effects to those elements and to thatstructure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of this invention is to provide a new and useful devicefor securing a frangible object, against heavy winds and hurricaneconditions, as well as against flying missiles carried by the winds. Ingeneral, the device includes fence means, cushioning means substantiallycomprising a number of flexible chambers or bladder-panels, disclosed inthe description, filled by a suitable inner fluid, preferably by airsubjected to a pressure generally greater than the normal atmospherepressure, and disposed on the outward surface of the frangible object,generally behind the fence means and, in most of the embodiments,attached to the frangible object's surface. The cushioning means areconnected by connecting means, adapted for connection with aperturesarranged on the cushioning means. There are different forms and shapesof the cushioning means, fence means, and their combinations describedin the specification.

Another aim of the device is to partially or fully separate the initialmissile deceleration and, on the other hand, the damping of missileimpacts and wind loads, between different elements of the device, whichallows to efficiently choose a proper form or material for the fencemeans complying with the anti-missile testing requirements, as well asprovide the best impacts and wind loads absorbing by the cushioningmeans.

Another aim is to provide a predetermined spacing of the cushioningmeans from the frangible object's surface in an easy manner, where thespacing is essentially automatically installed at the time of assemblingand further automatically maintained by the device.

Another aim is to use a two-layer (or multi-layer) version of thecushioning means on the surface of the frangible object or a partthereof, generally increasing the cushioning effect.

Another aim is to provide control of the damping of wind loads dependingon their intenseness, generally by including control means measuring theactual wind loads, regulating the inner fluid flow inside and betweenthe cushioning means, dynamically creating pneumatic pressure loops fordamping the wind loads in a regulated fashion.

Another aim is to increase the damping effect of wind impacts andalternative loads, and to enforce the transformation of the wind kineticenergy into heat by means of the use of a MID-device disclosed in thespecification.

Another aim is to enable the use of the MID-devices subjected toalternative outer forces not only for high wind protection of frangibleobjects, but also particularly for individual heater means, in designingof clothing or footwear for cold and windy weather conditions.

Another aim is to protect the frangible object against vibrations causedby alternating wind loads and missile impacts by providing thecushioning means attached not to the frangible object's surface, but toseparate supporting means installed substantially on the ground areaaround the frangible object.

Another aim is to present different possible utilizations of theMID-devices, possessing features of an electrical power generator,electrical engine, electromagnetic damping apparatus for damping notonly high winds loads, but air blasts and shockwaves in fluid or solidenvironments.

Other aims of the invention will become apparent from a consideration ofthe drawings, ensuing description, and claims as hereinafter related.

The description of the invention, discussed herein below, will show thefollowing advantages of the devices:

-   -   the present device is distinguished over the prior art in        particular by its capability to protect the frangible object        from high winds and hurricanes as well as from flying debris        carried by such winds or hurricanes, by means of damping the        wind loads and debris impacts, while essentially automatically        arranging and maintaining a predetermined space from the        frangible object needed for proper deceleration of the debris;    -   the device may be placed on the frangible object in any place or        part of its surface to be protected (e.g. windows, roof) by        properly securing it to the surface;    -   the device does not cause unbalanced forces and torques on the        roof of a building protected by the device from flying debris        and side high wind loads;    -   the device may be designed so that will allow to control the        amplitude and time of the impacts and loads applied to the        frangible object's structure during the damping process;    -   the damping effect of the cushioning means of the device may be        supplemented by an additional electromagnetic damping effect        produced by the MID-device;    -   the MID-device may be used for personal cold protection        purposes. For example, gloves incorporating the MID-device may        warm up the hands simply by clapping the hands. The MID-device        may be enclosed in shoes, boots, etc. as a pad, during cold        weather, and be activated and warm up the feet when the person        walks, jumps, or runs. Similar pads may be enclosed in a jacket        or a coat to be worn during cold and windy conditions, and        activated by the hands and by the winds;    -   the device, proposed in a special embodiment disclosed herein,        may be used in instances where it cannot be placed immediately        on the surface of the frangible object (e.g. where its structure        is not strong enough), but rather it may be placed around the        object, while keeping its protection properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an orthogonal frontal view of the device and the frangibleobject, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view (c-d) of the device and the frangibleobject, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the device's parts—the chambers, andtheir connections, according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the device's parts—the whole side chamberand the corner chamber, and their connections, according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an orthogonal plan view of the partial blank for a casingcover of the device, according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is an orthogonal plan view of the partial blank for a frontscreen of the device, according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is an orthogonal plan view of the casing comprising a partialblank for the casing cover connected by seams to the fence screen of thedevice, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an isometric sectional view of a part of the casing containingchambers of the device, according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8-I is an isometric sectional view of a part of the casingcontaining chambers of the device, not showing the cover, according tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a frangible object with attached holdersfor supporting of corner chambers of the device, according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an isometric detail view of the attached holders forsupporting of corner chambers of the device, according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of connecting means for the chambersaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an isometric frontal view of two vertically neighboring frontscreens, an overlapping screen, and the attachment elements joining thescreens, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an isometric rear view of two vertically neighboring fencescreens, an overlapping screen, and the attachment elements joining thescreens, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of the device and part of the frangibleobject, according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of the device, covering only one sideof the frangible object, according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of the device, protecting the frangibleobject, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sample pneumatic schema of a connecting unit for connectionof the adjacent chambers of both an internal and external layers of thedevice, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a sample pneumatic connection schema of several connectingunits and several adjacent chambers of both an internal and externallayers of the device, according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is a functional block-schema of connecting units, sensor means,and the central control unit of the device, according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a partial sectional side view of the device, according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a partial isometric view of the device, according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a partial sectional side view of the modified device,according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a partial sectional side view of the device, according to thefifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of an expandable post in the highest endposition, according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of an expandable post in the lowest endposition, according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a sample isometric view of four expandable posts in thehighest end position with chambers installed on them, according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of two expandable posts in the highest endposition with chambers installed on them, according to the sixthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a detail isometric view of a half of the holding shelf,according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a schematic view of a X-like chamber shape implementationaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view of a plus-sign-like chamber shapeimplementation according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view of a frame-like chamber shape implementationaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is an orthogonal front view of the bladder-panel implementationaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is an orthogonal side view of the fence net screenimplementation according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 34 is an orthogonal front view of the fence net screenimplementation according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 35 is an orthogonal side view of the fence plates implementationaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is an isometric view of the common fence screen implementationaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is an orthogonal side view of the implementation without aseparate fence screen according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 38 is an orthogonal side view of the implementation without aseparate fence means according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 39 is an isometric view of the pre-constructed foldedbladder-panel, according to the first and second embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 40 is an orthogonal front view of the flexible cover with mail snapparts, according to the first and second embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 41 is an orthogonal front view of the common fence screen withfemale snap parts, according to the first and second embodiments of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms,there is shown in the drawings, and will be described in detail herein,six specific embodiments of the present invention with theirimplementations and modifications, with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention, and is not intended to limit the inventionto that as illustrated and described herein.

Description of Simple Shape Chamber Implementation of First Embodiment

Referring to the drawing on FIGS. 1, 2, there is shown a simple shapechamber implementation of the first embodiment of the device forprotection of a frangible object (50), for simplicity exemplified as ahouse, against high winds, hurricanes, and flying debris carried by thewinds. Object 50 has a roof (51), a window (52), and a door (53).

The device comprises a number, preferably a plurality, of fluidinflatable cushioning means, generally performed in the form of flexiblechambers, or the like, inflated by a suitable fluid, preferably airsubjected to a pressure greater than the normal atmosphere pressure,herein further referred as chambers (10), illustrated on FIG. 3. Chamber10 is preferably shaped in the form of a prism, a cylinder, or othersuitable geometrical form capable to cooperate with other elements ofthe device. A modified elongated chamber (11) shown on FIG. 4,essentially extending through the length of an entire side of object 50may optionally be used. It may be divided into internal sections bymembranes (not shown herein). The sections can be connectedsequentially, for instance, by special holes (with or without valves) inthe membranes. Optionally, an internal or external common duct (notshown herein), capable of distributing the fluid pressure between thesections, can connect them.

Conventional pump means (not shown herein) can be used to inflatechambers 10 and 11. The inflating is provided through an inlet hose (42)adapted to be connected to an aperture (48), situated for example on aside surface of chamber 11 as shown on FIG. 4. Chamber 10 is preferablyinflated through inlet hose 42, a hub (41), a connecting hose (40)adapted for connection to hub 41 and to aperture 48, and throughaperture 48, as shown on FIG. 11. Another option is to use a springedconnector (49) schematically shown on FIG. 11 to ease the assemblingwhen joining the connecting hose to the aperture. Such springedconnectors are known in the art, for instance, “straight line-shapedconnector 150” described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,198 to Lee. Asillustrated on FIGS. 3 and 4, chambers 10 and 11 are preferably made ina prism-like shape, whose side and base surfaces may be joined by seemsor other appropriate means and techniques depending on the particularmaterial chosen for making the chamber. Chambers 10 (or 11) cover theside surfaces of object 50, other chambers cover the corners of object50, and herein are referred to as corner chambers (15) shown on FIG. 3and FIG. 4. All chambers 10 and 15 (or 11 and 15) are preferablyconnected to each other through their apertures 48 and connecting hoses40, preferably, but not necessarily, forming a circular chain ofchambers, where the first chamber is connected to the second, etc., andthe last chamber is connected to the first chamber.

It is also possible to connect chambers 10 and 15 in a different order,for instance, the first to the third, the third to the fifth, etc., and,on the other hand, the second to the fourth, the fourth to the sixth,etc., that is forming an odd chain and an even chain of chambers (notshown herein). Such connection may sometimes be advantageous, forexample, if one odd chamber has a hole and the odd chain is deflated,the even chain is still inflated. Two connected chambers independentlyof the connection order are further called pneumatically adjacentchambers.

Chambers 10 (or 11) and 15 are preferably made of a suitable flexiblematerial. It can be recommended, that the well-developed conventionalairbag-making technology be used to manufacture the chambers. Anautomobile airbag must withstand abrupt impacts produced by a human bodyin a high-speed car collision. It therefore should be able to sustainhigh wind loads of hurricane conditions, since the density of air isabout 1000 less than the average human body density, while the highestspeed of the wind is comparable with a possible highest speed of afrontal auto collision. Some patents, for instance U.S. Pat. No.4,944,529, teach that the materials suited for manufacturing airbags arewell known in the art. They should be pliable and impervious to gas.Air-impervious foils of resinous materials, such as, polyvinylchloride,polyethylene, and polyurethane, with or without a fabric backing, havebeen found to be particularly useful. The material should retain itsimperviousness and pliability for a period not less than the expectedlife of the airbags. Some U.S. patents, mention various conventionalmeans and methods of joining parts of airbags. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 6,846,010 teaches that the inflatable airbag cushion may be formedfrom a first and second membrane. The first and second membranes mayeach be formed from separate pieces joined together, or they may beformed from a single piece folded to create two portions. The membranesmay be attached by various mechanisms including, but not limited to,mechanical fastening, sewing, weaving, chemical bonding, adhesivebonding, thermal welding, sonic welding, RF welding, and electromagneticwelding.

The cushioning means of the chamber implementation of this embodimenttherefore include chambers 10 or 11, corner chambers 15, aperture 48,connecting hoses 40, and optionally spring connectors 49.

The device comprises fence means, particularly including a fence screen(22) shaped as a flat elongated sheet, shown on FIG. 6, havingreinforced hems (23) with eyes (27). Fence screen 22 is made ofmaterials capable to withstand an impact of a flying missile, accordingto the existing tests requirements, preferably a flexible fabric ortextile with appropriate characteristics. Such materials are known inthe art, and in particular are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,852 toGower, e.g. polypropylene, vinyl coated polyester, materials to be usedoutdoors in trampolines. In the present invention, fence screen 22 isprimarily intended for initial protection against flying debris, whilethe main cushioning effect against wind loads and against the flyingdebris is provided by chambers 10 (or 11) and 15.

The fence means of the device generally include a cover (21) attached toscreen 22, made of a suitable material, whose partial blank cut isillustrated on FIG. 5. Optionally, cover 21 can be performed as a net(not shown herein) of appropriate threads, e.g. made of artificialfiber.

Cover 21 has fasten means (26) attached to its longitudinal edges. Forexample, such fasten means 26 can be performed as Velcro™ strips.Similar fasten means may be used to connect the beginning vertical edge(e.g. the left edge) and the ending vertical edge (e.g. the right edge)of cover 21 to each other to form a circular figure (not shown herein).Optionally, a hook and loop type of fastener, a zipper or zippers,snaps, hooks and eyes, or the like may be used for fasten means 26.

The assembly of cover 21 and screen 22 forms a casing (20), a portion ofwhich is illustrated on FIG. 7, where marks a1, a2, a3, a4, and b1, b2,b3, b4 shown also on FIG. 6 are superimposed on marks a1′, a2′, a3′,a4′, and b1′, b2′, b3′, b4′ shown on FIG. 5. The attachment of cover 21and screen 22 is made by seems (24), shown on FIG. 6, produced by anappropriate means. A number of chambers 10 and 15 (not shown on FIG. 8),called a chain, is enclosed in cover 21, fasten means 26 are locked,eyes 27 of hems 23 outstand as reflected on FIG. 8. Chambers 10 aredepicted separate on an isometric view FIG. 8-I without cover 21.

Corner chambers 15 are supported with supporting means, preferably inthe form of corner holders (55) shown on FIG. 9 and on FIG. 10. Cornerholder 55 comprises preferably two rotatable rods (56), which supportcorner chamber 15. Rods 56 are capable to be rotated horizontally aroundan upper hinge (58). Corner holder 55 comprises a supporting rod (57)secured with an angle by its upper end to rod 56, and by its lower endto a lower hinge (58). Thus, rods 56 and 57 are capable to be rotatedtogether around a vertical axle extending through the upper and thelower hinges 58. A removable fixing rod (59), adapted to join bothrotatable rods 56, allows to fix a certain angle between the two rods 56as shown on FIG. 10, making a rigid construction capable to be rotatedaround the axle. Rods 56 may be conventionally fastened to the verticalwalls of object 50 in normal weather conditions, but in windy conditionsmay be moved into the supporting position and joined by a fixing rod(59), which is shown on FIG. 10.

Where required, additional conventional supporting means (not shownherein) to restrict any rotation of corner holder 55 in the supportingposition may be used in conjunction with hinges 58 or otherwise.Appropriate strings or the like means (not shown herein) may optionallybe stretched along a sidewall and attached by their ends to rods 56 ofcorner holders 55 situated on the different corners of the samesidewall. Those strings may be used alone to support casing 20 withchambers 10 positioned along that sidewall, or in a combination with thecorner holders. Other proper supporting means may be used instead of thecorner holders, but essentially performing the same function.

Casing 20 with enclosed chambers 10 and 15 connected by connecting hoses40 are installed on the sidewalls preferably around object 50 using thesupporting means, whereas the internals of all the chambers in thecasing form a preferably common circular space (except for constructionsforming the odd and even chains described above, or having another orderof chambers connection) filled with a body of a suitable fluid,preferably air subjected to a pressure developed by proper inflatingmeans, generally greater than the normal atmosphere pressure. Anothersuch casing with inflated chambers may be situated in a similar fashionon the sidewalls (or on the roof) of object 50 next to the first casingwith a vertical (or correspondingly horizontal for the roof) interval,which is shown on FIG. 1. The number of the installed casings with thechambers should be determined taking into account the height of thesidewalls (or respectively the width of the roof) and the particularrequirements for protecting the frangible object's structure.

The vertical intervals between the neighboring casings are preferablycovered by an overlapping screen (60) having reinforced hems similar tohems 23, with eyes similar to eyes 27, which is shown on FIGS. 12 and13. Overlapping screen 60 is made preferably of transparent materialhaving strength characteristics similar to those of the material ofscreen 22. The transparency is desirable if screens 22 are opaque toprovide seeing from object 50 and viewing object 50 from the outsideduring storm or hurricane conditions.

Vertically neighboring screens 22 and overlapping screen 60 are joinedwith an attachment means, preferably in the form of straps (29) made ofmaterials with appropriate strength characteristics, e.g. artificialfiber. FIGS. 12 and 13 show the preferable way of joining the screens bypassing straps 29 through eyes 27 and eyes of overlapping screen 60. Theupper and the lower ends of straps 29 are preferably tied to upper andlower battens (54) positioned horizontally as shown on FIG. 9, andproperly secured to the corresponding parts of the sidewalls of object50. Battens 54 are made of a sufficiently strong material, generally asuitable metal. Battens 54 are provided with holes or other suitablemeans to pass straps 29 through and to secure the upper and lower endsof the straps. When straps 29 are tied in the manner shown on FIGS. 12and 13, a flying debris impact or wind load exerted onto overlappingscreen 60 is substantially transferred to the adjacent screens 22 and tochambers 10 and 15 situated behind them, providing a cushioning effect.Overlapping screen 60 must be positioned a predetermined distance fromthe surface of the frangible object, providing all reasonableprecautions to avoid a physical contact between overlapping screen 60and the surface during a strongest flying debris impact. This conditiondepends on the stretchability of straps 29 and tightness of theirsecuring to battens 54.

Alternatively, straps 29 may be attached to the optional strings(described above, not shown herein) stretched between corner holders 55.Another option is the use of the attachment means in the form of ahook-and-loop or hook-and-eye fastener, or zipper, or the like (notshown herein), rather than using straps 29 and battens 54. In somecases, this may increase the cushioning effect of the device. For thesame purpose, additional chambers (not shown herein), similar tochambers 10 and enclosed in a cover (not shown) similar to cover 21, maybe inserted in some places within the vertical interval between theneighboring fence screens 22 behind overlapping screen 60, provided thecasing of the additional chambers would be properly secured to theobject's surface, to the optional strings, to the overlapping screen, orotherwise.

Therefore, the fence means of the chamber implementation of the firstembodiment generally include covers 21, screens 22, overlapping screens60, whereas straps 29 or other attachment means are parts of thesupporting means.

It may not be necessary to use the overlapping screen for particulartypes of frangible object, for example where its surface is relativelysmall, or where the object requires special protection with fullcovering by the casings 20 with the chambers 10 or 11 with no vertical(or horizontal) intervals (not shown herein), or in a case of using acommon fence screen described further below.

The advantage of the partial separation of the fence means andcushioning means is that the fence means are better suitable forabsorbing initial impacts of hard windborne objects, whereas thecushioning means perform much better providing substantially the dampingof wind loads primarily and the additional damping of missile impactssecondarily. This separation is preferable versus to the having both thespecialized and contradicting properties (rigidness to withstand thehard impact and flexible cushioning to damp wind loads) embodied in oneelement.

A Common Fence Screen Implementation of First Embodiment

Another implementation of the first embodiment of the device uses of acommon fence screen (65) illustrated on FIG. 36. Screen 65 hasreinforced hems 23 with eyes 27 similar to screen 22. Screen 65 may besecured to the upper and lower battens 54 by straps 29 passed througheyes 27 of the screen and the batten's eyes as shown on FIG. 36. Otherstraps 29 suitably attached to screen 65 and are furnished with thefasten means 26, described above. These straps hold a chain of chambers10 enclosed in a cover 21 that is depicted on FIG. 36. Common fencescreen 65 covers not one, but rather several or all horizontal chamberchains each enclosed in its own cover 21, thereby the common screen willabsorb the flying debris' initial impacts directed to a whole sidewallor the top of the object, or portions thereof. In this implementationthe overlapping screen 60 would be unnecessary.

The casing with the chambers may cover not only vertical or othersidewalls of the frangible object, but may also be secured on the top ofthe object (for example, on a building's roof while placed above theroot not shown herein) protecting it from flying debris, falling down onthe object, in a similar manner.

Different Chamber Shape Implementations of First Embodiment

Of course, there may be other ramifications or implementations of thedevice elements performed in different forms. The shape of chambers 10or 11 may be different from that shown on FIGS. 3 and 4. They may beshaped with hollow spaces in the middle (not shown), or as X-like shapedchambers (17) depicted on FIG. 29, or as plus-sign-like shaped chambers(19) depicted on FIG. 30, having connection apertures (48). The fourprojections of chambers 17 and 19 may preferably be shaped as cylinders,or prisms, or the like. Apertures 48 are preferably located on the basesurfaces of the cylinders or prisms, substantially on the ends of theprojections of such chambers. Apertures 48 of the pneumatically adjacentchambers 17 or 19 are connected to each other by the external connectingmeans, preferably hoses, similar to hose 40.

Another possible shape of the chamber is an inflatable frame (13) shownon FIG. 31, with a circular, elliptical, or square-like cross-section(not shown), having apertures (48) for mutual connections arranged inappropriate places, preferably on the side surfaces of the neighboringinflatable frame chambers by the external connecting means, preferablyhoses 40, as illustrated.

The chambers of the X-like, plus-sign-like, frame-like, (or similar)shape are preferably united in panels having several horizontal rows ofchamber chains as shown on FIGS. 29, 30, 31.

The chambers shaped in such ways may be covered by a common cover and acommon screen (not shown herein), respectively similar, but differentlyshaped, as to the above described cover 25 and screen 65 shown on FIG.36, covering for instance the whole sidewall of a house, or a portionthereof. The shape of the common cover respectively cooperates with theshapes of chambers 13, or 17, or 19 enclosed in the cover and attachedfor example by straps 29 to the common screen, similar to the attachmentshown on FIG. 36.

This would eliminate the need in the overlapping screen 60, andtherefore a special arrangement of the predetermined space from screen60 to the surface of frangible object, mentioned above, would beunnecessary. Such constructions also have the advantages of more evendistribution of the initial flying debris impacts throughout the fencescreen and the chambers, though may be more difficult in manufacturing.

A Bladder-Panel Implementation of First Embodiment

Another example of different implementation of the first embodimentillustrated on a sectional view on FIG. 32. There is shown an inflatablepanel divided into sections pneumatically joined to each other, furthercalled a bladder-panel (18), creating a cushioning effect similar to theone created by the above-described chambers 10. Bladder-panel 18 lookssimilar to a cushioning “bubble-pad” or air-filled sectioned “pillow”known to be used in packaging. Bladder-panel 18, illustrated on FIG. 32,is preferably composed of two or more flexible sheets coupled preferablyby seems (28), so that forming a plurality of sections further calledbladders, wherein each of the bladders, having its own membrane, isconnected to its pneumatically adjacent bladders by internal connectionmeans, preferably by through holes (46) in the common parts of themembranes of neighbor bladders, or, possibly, hoses (not shown) similarto hose 40, or tubes or channels (not shown herein) joining non-neighborbladders, if a non-sequential order of connection is chosen for thebladders, similar to the aforesaid odd and even chamber chains. A numberof bladder-panels 18 are positioned in front of the outward surface ofthe frangible object. All the bladder-panels 18 are generallyinterconnected by external connecting means, including preferably hoses(not shown, but identical to hose 40 on FIG. 11) and apertures (48)shown on FIG. 32. Apertures 48 are preferably arranged on the sidesurface of each bladder-panel 18, and each of the hoses interconnectsthe two apertures 48 arranged on two pneumatically adjacentbladder-panels 18.

Seems 28 on the flexible sheets composing bladder-panel 18 may beachieved by the use of conventional sewing, chemical bonding, adhesivebonding, thermal welding, sonic welding, RF welding, and electromagneticwelding, depending on the type of material used. The sheets may be madeof the same materials described for chambers 10 and 11. Holes 46 will becreated between two neighboring bladder membranes in the places whereseems 28 are interrupted, which is seen on FIG. 32.

A common body of an inner fluid (or separate bodies of inner fluid forthe non-sequential connection) is placed inside such a bladder-panel andsubjected to a predetermined pressure developed by proper inflatingmeans through one of the apertures 48, provided on bladder-panel 18depicted on FIG. 32. Bladder-panel 18 is enclosed into a cover (25)shown on FIGS. 33, 35, 37, and a fragment of cover 25 is illustrated onFIG. 40.

The device comprises a common fence screen (65M), depicted on FIG. 41,capable to be removably fastened to cover 25, shown on FIG. 40 andplaced in front of the cover 25. The fasten means are performedpreferably in the form of mail-female snaps. For example, male snapparts (26M), illustrated on FIG. 40, are properly attached to cover 25being placed in the spots marked: r′, s′, t′, u′, w′, x′. Thecorresponding female snap parts (26F), illustrated on FIG. 41, and areattached to common screen 65M in the spots marked: r″, s″, t″, u″, w″,x″. Additionally, corresponding spots marked r, s, t u, w, x are shownon FIG. 32, which preferably should coincide with the positions of thesnaps placed over them on the cover and on the screen.

Illustrated on FIG. 37, cover 25 has reinforced upper and lower hems(23) with eyes similar to eyes 27 (not shown herein). Cover 25 enclosingbladder-panel 18 inside, and having been fastened to common screen 65Mon its outward surface in front of the cover, can be secured to thestructure of the frangible object (50) by supporting means, shown onFIG. 37. Common screen 65M, fully covering the cover 25 from theoutside, is not depicted on FIG. 37, but its fragment is reflected onFIG. 41. The supporting means include a plurality of upper and lowerbrackets (61), shown on FIG. 37, properly attached to the outwardsurface of frangible object 50. Upper and lower rods (67) are mountedrespectively on the upper and lower brackets 61. Straps (29) passedthrough the eyes of hems 23 and attached or locked by suitableconventional means arranged on the ends of the straps to upper and lowerrods 67. The brackets 61 and rods 67 are preferably made of anappropriate metal and are capable to sustain necessary loads.

A bladder-panel (18) may be pre-constructed as exemplified andillustrated on FIG. 39. The bladder panel has apertures (48) forinflating and also for interconnection of two or more bladders locatedon the opposite edges of one bladder-panel (which is used in the secondembodiment further described herein) or on the edges of two differentneighboring bladder-panels. The connection is provided by the externalconnecting means, preferably in the form of hoses (40) adapted to joinapertures 48 arranged on such opposite edges. The opposite edges arecapable to be mechanically attached to each other by suitableconventional fasten means, for example, Velcro™ strips (26) shown onFIG. 39. The pre-constructed bladder-panel 18 may be enclosed in acommon cover similar to cover 25 shown on FIG. 37, and wrapped aroundthe whole frangible object. Such bladder-panel may be used withdifferent fence means, described in the implementations of the firstembodiment below. If folded, it can also be implemented in a two-layerconstruction further described in the second embodiment.

The bladder-panel may be composed by a different method, a body of innerfluid may be placed inside the bladder-panel permanently or temporarily,a bladder may be pneumatically connected not with all bladders of thebladder-panel but with some of them, the bladder-panel may be dividedinto separate sections containing a plurality of bladders. Pneumaticallyadjacent bladders may not necessarily be the neighboring bladders. Itshould be understood, that all such modified elements would performessentially the same function irrelevant to the form they are embodiedin.

First Embodiment's Implementation of a Bladder-Panel with Fence NetScreen

As mentioned above, the fence means for the cushioning chambers may beperformed in the form of a net (not shown herein) made of metallic orother suitable threads, or a perforated sheet (not shown herein) orother compositions capable to absorb the initial impact of flyingmissiles, but passing the wind to chambers 10 and 15 enclosed in cover21. Similarly, a net of a suitable type may be combined withbladder-panel 18. FIGS. 33, 34 illustrate such a combination.

The device comprises a plurality of upper and lower holders (62)properly secured preferably to the upper and lower part of sidewall offrangible object 50 as shown on FIGS. 33 and 34. Elongated upper frontalrod (64) and upper rear rod (63) are supported by upper holders 62.Analogously, lower holders 62 support an elongated lower frontal rod(64) and an elongated lower rear rod (63). Holders 62, rods 63 and 64are preferably made of a suitable metal capable to bear necessary loads.The device comprises a plurality of bladder-panels 18, preferably onepanel for each sidewall. FIGS. 33 and 34 show only one suchbladder-panel. Bladder-panels 18 of all the sidewalls are generallyinterconnected by connecting means, preferably by hoses 40 (not shown onFIGS. 33 and 34, but depicted on FIGS. 11 and 39). Each bladder-panel 18is enclosed in a cover (25), which can be made substantially of the samematerials as cover 21. Cover 25 has reinforced hems (23) along itshorizontal upper and lower edges with eyes (27). Straps (29) are passedthrough eyes 27 of cover 25 and secured on the rear upper and lower rods63 by any suitable conventional fasten means, e.g. rings and clamps.

The device comprises a fence net screen (66) reflected on FIGS. 33 and34, performed in the form of a net made of a suitable material,preferably proper metallic threads or artificial fiber, capable toabsorb the maximum expected initial impact of flying debris according tothe testing requirements for high wind protecting barriers, described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,865,852 to Gower. Screen 66 is disposed in front ofbladder-panel 18 and attached by straps (69) to the frontal upper andlower rods 64. Other suitable attachment means are also possible. Thedistance between screen 66 and the surface of cover 25, enclosingbladder-panel 18, must be sufficient to prevent a physical contactbetween the deformed screen 66 and the cover 25 at the time of thestrongest expected missile impact. Screen 66 and bladder-panel 18 may bearranged capable of rolling up or down for convenient storage and thepositioning for protection of the frangible object.

While fully absorbing the debris impacts, screen 66 passes the wind flowthrough to bladder-panel 18, which damps the wind loads only. Incontrast, the chamber implementation combines the flexible screen(s)absorbing a flying debris impact as a primary initial stage, and thechambers enclosed in the covers coupled with the screen(s), whichchambers damp the wind loads plus they damp the remaining debris impacttransferred from the screen(s) as a secondary absorbing stage.

The advantage of the fence net screen implementation is that the netscreen can be made of materials best suitable for absorbing strongerimpacts of hard windborne objects. If the net screen is capable toessentially absorb those impacts, the bladder-panel will not damp suchimpacts, and would perform much better providing substantially thedamping of wind loads only, and accordingly its materials may be chosento be more flexible providing more efficient dissipation of the windenergy. In the other words, the fence net screen implementation providesa greater (essentially fill) extent of separation of the fence means andcushioning means than the partial separation of the chamberimplementation with the flexible screen 22, and therefore provides moreefficient damping of wind loads, and a better choice of materials fordesigning both the fence and cushioning means.

A Fence Plates Implementation of First Embodiment

Another implementation of the first embodiment comprises fence means inthe form of a plurality of fence plates (68) of a suitable shape andsize illustrated on FIG. 35, generally made of the same materials asfence screen 22, which may be superimposed on and attached to theoutward surface of cover (25), enclosing bladder-panel (18), withappropriate intervals, protecting the cover and bladder-panel frominitial impacts of flying missiles rather than a fence screen. Theattachment of the plates to the bladder-panel may be performed byconventional means depending on the materials of the plates andbladder-panel. Cover 25 has reinforced hem (23) with eyes. The devicecomprises upper brackets (61) and lower brackets (61) mounted on theoutward surface of frangible object (50), and supporting respectivelyelongated upper rod (67) and lower rod (67). The attachment means arepreferably performed as straps (29), passed through the eyes of hem 23,and with their other ends locked to rods 67 by any conventional fastenmeans.

Such construction may have increased flexibility comparatively to theimplementation including a fence screen and the bladder-panel, and theconvenience of assembling and storage. For example, it can be rolled andcompactly stored.

An Implementation of First Embodiment without a Separate Fence Screen

If the strength and stretchability of the material, which the cover ofthe bladder-panel is made of, allows for sufficient dissipating theenergy of flying debris, the fence screen, overlapping screen, or thesuperimposed plates would be unnecessary and should not be used.

FIG. 37 shows such an implementation of the first embodiment, comprisinga bladder-panel (18), enclosed in a cover (25) disposed in front of thefrangible object (50). Cover 25 has reinforced hem (23) with eyes, andmay be secured to the structure of the object in a fashion similar tothe previous implementation. The device comprises upper brackets (61)and lower brackets (61) mounted on the surface of frangible object (50),and supporting respectively elongated upper rod (67) and lower rod (67).The attachment means are preferably performed as straps (29), passedthrough the eyes of hem 23, and with their other ends locked to rods 67by any conventional fasten means.

In this implementation cover 25 is characterized in that it's made ofsuitable materials capable to sustain the strongest impact of flyingdebris borne by hurricanes and high winds.

An Implementation of First Embodiment without a Separate Fence Means

If the strength and stretchability of the material, which thebladder-panel is made of, allows for sufficient dissipating the energyof flying debris, the fence screen, overlapping screen, the superimposedplates, or even the cover would be unnecessary. The device may also beconstructed without fence means if it's intended to be used with noprotection against flying debris, or in other special circumstanceswhere it's used to damp only an outer fluid flow by the cushioning meansinflated by a suitable inner fluid.

FIG. 38 shows such an implementation of the first embodiment, comprisinga modified bladder-panel (18M), disposed in front of the frangibleobject (50). Modified bladder-panel 18M has reinforced hem (23) witheyes. The device comprises a plurality of upper brackets (61) and lowerbrackets (61) mounted on the outward surface of frangible object (50),and supporting respectively elongated upper rod (67) and lower rod (67).The attachment means are preferably performed as straps (29), passedthrough the eyes of hem 23, and with their other ends locked to rods 67by any conventional fasten means.

This implementation contains the modified bladder-panel 18M, which ischaracterized in that it's made of suitable materials capable to sustainthe strongest impact of flying debris borne by hurricanes and highwinds. In this aspect, any fence means, being intermediate between thewind flow or flying debris and the cushioning means, may be consideredas a protection means of the cushioning means, if the properties of thecushioning means material do not enable the cushioning means to sustainstrongest expected impacts of the flying debris.

Operation of First Embodiment

The operation of the device is exemplified for the simple shape chamberimplementation of the first embodiment. When the device is assembled andinstalled as described above, it's ready for operation. The initialdeceleration of windborne hard bodies (flying missiles) and initialabsorbing of their impacts and high wind loads are first provided by thefence screens and overlapping screens by stretching their fabric, andthen the impact or wind load forces is transferred to the inflatedchambers located behind the spot of the impact or the wind loadapplication, or through straps 29 to the chambers. The width between thefront and rear sides of the chambers, the initial pressure inside them,the properties of their material will essentially define a predetermineddistance between the fence screen (or overlapping screen) and thefrangible object's surface. Therefore, the mentioned characteristicsshould be sufficient to stop the flying missile before it can ever touchthe object's surface. The predetermined distance between the fencescreen (or overlapping screen) and the object's surface will then bemaintained in acceptable limits by the device substantiallyautomatically during high wind conditions.

The body of inner fluid, contained in the chambers, becomes subjected toadditional pressure of the impact or wind load, which is sequentiallydistributed to the pneumatically adjacent chambers, united in the chainof a preferably circular configuration, which forms a pneumatic loop.The energy of the impact or wind load is transformed into heat,increasing the temperature of the inner fluid body, the fabric ofchambers, the connecting hoses, etc. Simultaneously, the additionalpressure is being propagated along the chain of the chambers, creatingforward and backward waves. During this damping process, the missile isgradually decelerated and the wind load is gradually absorbed. Due tothis process, the cushioning or damping time is extended; the amplitudesof forces eventually exerted onto the frangible object's structure aresubstantially reduced, thereby protecting the frangible object.

The aforesaid partial separation of the first impact absorbing stage(initial missile deceleration) and, on the other hand, the secondarydamping of missile impacts and the damping of wind loads, between twoelements (screens and chambers) of the device allows to more efficientlyuse the fence screen, complying with the mentioned anti-missile testingrequirements, as well as provide better conditions for the dissipationof the remaining impact energy and the damping of wind loads by thechambers to secure the frangible object from hurricanes and high winds.It allows to shift the dissipation of the wind energy from the fencescreen's body essentially to the body of inner fluid in the chamberssubjected to changes of pressure and to expansions and contractions ofthe chambers volume, transforming most of the energy of such expansionsand contractions into the heat. The more flexible the material of thechamber is, the more intense the expansions and contractions are, andgenerally the more inner fluid energy is dissipated. Also, it isimportant, that the partial separation can provide the designer with abetter choice of materials suitable to perform their specializedfunctions for both the cushioning and fence means.

During the damping, the body of inner fluid in the chambers, theconnecting hoses, the cover, etc. are subjected to the outcome heat,which may be used to warm up the frangible object during the high windconditions.

After the end of a hurricane or high winds, the casings and overlappingscreens may be taken off from the sidewalls or the roof. Then thecasings and the chambers are dissembled, and, after the chambers aredeflated, the casings and the chambers may be separately put intostorage. Alternatively, if the construction of the casing allows, theymay be wrapped and stored together. The corner holders are placed intheir initial position and may be fastened to the sidewalls, oroptionally may also be taken off.

The operation of other implementations of the first embodiment describedherein above is similar to the simple shape chamber implementationoperation, except the particularities of the impact distribution betweenthe cushioning and fence means, as particularly discussed in each of thesections for those implementations.

If needed, the device may be used on the sidewalls or on the roof evenin absence of high winds or hurricane conditions, for instance, when itcan provide additional heat insulation of the object or somehow becombined with other systems of the frangible object.

The device may be properly combined with suitable conventional tie-downroof protection means (not shown herein), if necessary. Most of theknown tie-down systems include anchors located in proximity of theobject to be protected and cables tying the roof to the anchors. Suchsystems should be easily installed together with the device. The use ofseparate tie-down means allows to better balance the forces and torquesexerted onto the roof by winds from different sides.

Description and Operation of Second Embodiment

The second embodiment provides ways for further modifications of thecushioning means. Referring to the drawing on FIGS. 14, 15, there isshown the second embodiment of the device for protection of a frangibleobject (50). Such object 50 may be constructed for example as asemi-attached house or a house attached with two its sidewalls to theadjacent houses or other objects. The device comprises chambers similarto those described in the simple shape chamber implementation of thefirst embodiment. The chambers are preferably sequentially connected toeach other into a circular chain (except for constructions implementingthe odd and the even chains, described in the first embodiment). Thechain of the second embodiment, however, is composed of two layers: aninternal layer, immediately covering the sidewalls (or the roof) ofobject 50, and an external layer, positioned outwardly to and coveringthe internal layer as illustrated on FIGS. 14 and 15. The chambers ofthe internal layer are herein referred to as chambers (10 i), and theexternal layer's chambers are referred as chambers (10 e). Chambers 10 eand 10 i may be made in the same or different sizes. They are connectedby connecting hoses 40 in the manner described in the first embodiment.The ending chambers of one layer are subsequently connected to theneighboring chambers of the other layer as shown on FIGS. 14, 15.

The internal and external layers may each be enclosed in a separatecover (not shown herein) similar to cover 21. Alternatively, a commoncover may enclose both layers.

A fence screen (not shown herein) similar to screen 22 is disposed infront of the external layer by properly coupling it with the cover ofthe external layer or with the common cover of both the layers, if suchcommon cover is used. The coupling is performed, for instance, in theways described in the first embodiment. The device of the secondembodiment can also be positioned in a vertical manner (not shownherein) as opposed to the preferential horizontal disposition of thefirst embodiment, provided it's properly secured on the object's surfaceor otherwise appropriately attached.

A two-layer version can also be applied to the bladder-panelimplementation, described in the first embodiment. For example, two (ormore) such bladder-panels may be enclosed in a common cover (not shownherein) with the common fence screen placed in front of the cover. Theperipheral bladders of the bladder-panels may have apertures, similar toaperture 48, arranged on the edges of the bladder-panel (shown on FIG.32). The peripheral bladders of the internal bladder-panel can beconnected preferably by suitable connecting hoses to the peripheralbladders of the external bladder-panel.

The bladder-panel (18) may be pre-constructed in a cylinder-like shapeillustrated on FIG. 39, as described in the first embodiment. Itsopposite vertical edges are mechanically joined along line p-q bysuitable conventional fasten means, and then folded along lines l-k andm-n to form two layers: internal and external. Some of the bladderspreferably situated on the opposite vertical edges of the bladder-panelhave apertures (48), which are pneumatically connected to each other byhoses (40), preferably placed inside the folded bladder-panel,concluding the bladder-panel in a pneumatic loop. Alternatively othertypes of connecting means may be used instead of hoses 40. For instance,a connecting means (not shown), similar to springed connector 49 shownon FIG. 11, described earlier in the first embodiment, may be adapted toconnect said apertures 48. The folded bladder-panel 18 may be enclosedin a cover similar to cover 25 shown on FIGS. 33, 34, 37 with theinternal layer preferably positioned on the rear side of cover 25,facing the outward surface of frangible object.

Cover 25 may be mounted on the structure of the frangible object withthe supporting means illustrated on FIG. 37. The device comprises aplurality of upper brackets (61) and lower brackets (61) mounted on theoutward surface of frangible object (50), and supporting respectivelyelongated upper rod (67) and lower rod (67). The attachment means arepreferably performed as straps (29), passed through the eyes of hem (23)of cover 25, and with their other ends locked to rods 67 by anyconventional fasten means.

This two-layer version of the bladder-panel implementation may be usedas prescribed above in the implementations of the first embodimentcontaining the bladder-panel.

The operation of the device of the second embodiment does notessentially differ from the one of the first embodiment. The two-layerconstruction can be used to create a circular chain of chambers in caseif not all sidewalls of the frangible object are available forinstallation of the device. It may become useful when there is a need tocover only part of the sidewall or roof, for instance, a window or asolar energy device. If necessary, a multi-layer device may also be usedto increase the damping effect.

Description and Operation of Third Embodiment

The third embodiment of the invented device provides ways forimplementation of control means for the device. Referring to the drawingon FIG. 16, there is shown a schematic plan view of the device forprotection of a frangible object (50).

The device described below comprises cushioning means, particularly inthe form of chambers of a prism-like or a cylinder-like shapes, inflatedwith a suitable inner fluid, preferably air subjected to a pressuregreater than the normal atmosphere pressure, similar to chambers 10described in the simple shape chamber implementation of the firstembodiment.

The third embodiment may also be applied to the other implementations ofthe cushioning means disclosed above. For example, the chambers may besubstituted by compact plus-sign-like shaped chamber panels orbladder-panels of a suitable size, wherein such panels having generallytwo common apertures (e.g. the left and the right apertures), used inthe construction in the same fashion as the prism-like or acylinder-like shaped chambers.

The cushioning means of the third embodiment include two layers: aninternal layer, immediately covering the sidewalls (or the roof) ofobject (50), and an external layer, positioned outwardly to and coveringthe internal layer as illustrated on FIG. 16. The chambers of each layerare sequentially pneumatically connected into a circular chain. Anon-sequential order (e.g. the odd and even chamber chains described inthe first embodiment) is also possible, though generally routineconstructive changes may be required. The internal layer's chambers arereferred to as chambers (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H, 10I,10J, 10K, 10L, 10M, 10N, 10O, 10P, 10Q, 10R, 10S, 10T), and the externallayer's chambers are referred as chambers (10A′, 10B′, 10C′, 10D′, 10E′,10F′, 10G′, 10H′, 10I′, 10J′, 10K′, 10L′, 10M′, 10N′, 10O′, 10P′, 10Q′,10R′, 10S′, 10T′), all schematically represented by rectangular boxes onFIG. 16.

The device comprises fence means, including a common cover (not shownherein), similar to cover 21 described in the first embodiment. Thecommon cover encloses the chambers of the internal and external layers.

The fence means of the device preferably include a fence screen (notshown herein), similar to screen 22 described in the first embodiment,which is disposed in front of and joined to the common cover, forinstance, by the means disclosed in the first embodiment.

The device comprises control means for regulation of the damping effectproduced by the cushioning means. The control means include a controlvalve connecting unit (33), further herein shortly referred as aconnecting unit 33, for connection of the adjacent chambers of both theinternal and external layers of the device, illustrated on a pneumaticschema of FIG. 17. The schema shows four conventional two-waydirectional valves 33-I (mounted between marks “e” and “h”), 33-II(between “e” and “g”), 33-III (between “e” and “f”), 33-IV (between “h”and “g”), capable to be electronically controlled, and connected so thateach valve is situated as a side of a square “e-h-g-f”. Connecting units33 are preferably mounted on the fence screen by proper means, e.g.clamps, or optionally secured to the frangible object's surface.Connecting unit 33 is joined by connecting hoses 40, described in thefirst embodiment, to the two adjacent chambers of the internal layer(e.g. where marked “f” and “g”) and to the two adjacent chambers of theexternal layer (e.g. where marked “e” and “h”). Each valve of connectingunit 33 can operate in one of three states: closed, forward opened (forvalves 33-I, and 33-II) or upward opened (for valves 33-III and 33-IV),backward opened (for valves 33-I, and 33-II) or downward opened (forvalves 33-III and 33-IV). Switching the states of these valves ispreferably carried out by electrical signals, further called regulatingsignals, of control means described herein below. If there is a need tomore precisely regulate the fluid flow through the valves, a suitableconventional proportional type of valves can be used instead inconnecting unit 33.

The sample pneumatic schema illustrated on FIG. 16 shows chambers 10A,10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, 10G, 10H, 10I, 10J, 10K, 10L, 10M, 10N, 10O,10P, 10Q, 10R, 10S, 10T, and 10A′, 10B′, 10C′, 10D′, 10E′, 10F′, 10G′,10H′, 10I′, 10J′, 10K′, 10L′, 10M′, 10N′, 10O′, 10P′, 10Q′, 10R′, 10S′,10T′ of the internal and external layers described above in connectionwith the connecting units (marked 33VBA, 33VCB, 33VDC, 33VED, 33VFE,33VGF, 33VHG, 33VIH, 33VJI, 33VKJ, 33VLK, 33VML, 33VNM, 33VON, 33VPO,33VQP, 33VRQ, 33VSR, 33VTS, 33VAT). Rectangular boxes on FIG. 16schematically represent the chambers and the connecting units, andfunctional blocks also depicted as rectangular boxes on FIG. 19schematically represent the connecting units.

The control means of the device include conventional sensor means(marked 31A, 31B, 31D, 31E, 31F, 31G, 31I, 31J, 31K, 31L, 31N, 31O, 31P,31Q, 31S, 31T) schematically shown as functional blocks on FIG. 19. Thesensor means are preferably mounted on the fence screens along theperimeter of the protected by the device outward surface of thefrangible object, covered by the fence screens (or optionally, forexample, on the frangible object's surface, while having a mechanicalcontact with the fence screen). The sensor means are capable to measurethe outside dynamic pressure exerted by the wind on the fence screens inpredetermined spots of the covered surface, and to transform the amountof pressure preferably into a proportional electrical signal, furthercalled a measure signal.

Alternatively, the control means may be operated based on pneumaticmeasure and regulating signals or signals of another physical nature,which generally should not principally change the goals, functions, andresults of the regulation. Also, the sensor means may optionally beencapsulated with connecting unit 33 in one common device.

The control means of the device include a central control unit (30)depicted as a dotted rectangle on FIG. 19, comprising several functionalblocks. The proportional electrical signals from the sensor means arefurther sent through wiring (31W) to control unit 30.

FIG. 19 reflects a functional block-schema of the connecting units,sensor means, and central control unit 30 of the device, according tothe third embodiment. The functional block-schema is applied to a samplerectangular plan configuration of frangible object 50 having foursidewalls as schematically shown on FIG. 16. Central control unit 30,shown on FIG. 19, comprises a microprocessor capable to be programmed,memory, and all necessary means to provide data processing, representedby a functional block (38) marked “MP+Memory”. It should be understood,that this block (essentially a computer) provides all computations andlogic operations, which are conditionally represented by the otherfunctional blocks illustrated on FIG. 19 and included in central controlunit 30. Arrows pointing from the circled numbers 38 to the respectivefunctional blocks represent this relationship.

Sensor means 31S, 31T, 31A, 31B, installed on one of the four object'ssidewalls, transmit their measure signals proportional to the amounts ofdynamic pressure measured by each sensor means through wiring 31W to oneof functional blocks (32), marked “Avg (B, A, T, S)”, illustrated onFIG. 19, for determination of average pressure of the sidewall zonecovered by external chambers 10S, 10T, 10A, 10B shown on FIG. 16.Analogously, the other sidewall zones have their sensor means, whichrespectively transmit their measure signals to functional blocks 32,marked “Avg (L, K, J, I)”, “Avg (J, F, E, D)”, “Avg (Q, P, O, N)”. Allthese functional blocks 32 compute the average amounts of dynamicpressure for each corresponding sidewall zone. Functional block (39),marked “MAX”, determines the zone of the current maximum average dynamicpressure (i.e. the sidewall currently most affected by the wind) and theamount of this pressure. Central control unit 30 comprises a functionalblock (34), marked “Level Setter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10”, which isprogrammed so that a pre-set level 1 would correspond to a predeterminedminimum wind load the device should be used to damp, and a pre-set level10 would correspond to a predetermined maximum wind load, generallyslightly greater than the expected strongest wind load in givenlocation. All the intermediate levels may be pre-set by equally dividingthe scale between level 1 and level 10. Optionally, the designer may useanother scale and number of levels, accordingly to a particularconstruction of the device.

Block 39 sends its first signal proportional to the measured dynamicpressure of the sidewall zone of maximum wind to a functional block (35)marked “Comparator”, which compares the measured pressure with thepre-set levels data stored in block 34, and finds the correspondinglevel. Block 35 sends a signal reflecting the determined correspondinglevel to a functional block (36) marked “Configurator”. Block 36 alsoreceives the second signal from block 39, reflecting the sidewall zoneof the current maximum wind load. Based on those signals, block 36computes a configuration for the particular chambers of the external andinternal layers that must be connected by the respective connectingunits 33 forming pneumatic loops. Block 36 outcomes a list of theconnecting units 33, and the state of each valve of these connectingunits, which together with the corresponding chambers form the pneumaticloops.

According to the list, another functional block (37) marked “Commuter”sends sufficiently powerful regulating signals through wiring (33W) tothe respective connecting units 33, switching their valves into therequired states. This will immediately create the pneumatic loops.Connecting units 33 are generally capable of transmitting feedbacksignals to central control unit 30 through wiring 33W. The feedbacksignals are used by functional block 38 to maintain the stateinformation about the valves of all connecting units 33. The dataprocessing, performed by functional block 38, is preferably divided intoon/off strobes to set time periods when the next wind pressuremeasurements will start again after the receiving of the feedbacksignals.

The chambers of the pneumatic loops will carry out the damping of thewind load exerted onto the sidewalls. This embodiment allows toestablish a regulated damping process, and particularly to damp the highwind impacts in a uniform manner depending on the wind dynamic pressure,reducing the amplitudes of alternative loads eventually exerted onto theobject's structure, while extending the time of the loads application.This also should reduce the amplitudes of high-frequencies structurevibrations.

The regulated damping process may allow to tune the device in such away, that it would be capable to provide the damping of the high windloads in either the exponential or gently sloping form, rather than inthe oscillatory form also involving the vibrations negatively affectingthe structure of the frangible object, or in a way to reduce parameters(e.g., amplitude, frequency, and phase) of vibrations or harmonics,caused by alternative wind loads, to acceptable levels.

Such regulation may be optionally optimized by measuring the parameterswith conventional vibration sensor means (not shown herein), and formingparameter signals corresponding to the current amounts of theparameters. This implementation may use conventional proportional typesof valves in a connecting unit (not shown herein) similar to connectingunit 33. A central control unit, similar to central control unit 30, butincluding an additional functional block, capable to input and processthe parameter signals, may receive the parameter signals. A dataprocessing functional block (not shown herein) similar to block 38,programmed for rough regulation as described above, can be additionallyprogrammed using, for example, an algorithm based on the conventionalgradient methods, or similar algorithms. The output regulating signalsof the central control unit then are sent to the proportional valves ofthe connecting units, which can gently regulate the flows of inner fluidbetween the chambers, and mildly change the damping process in thepneumatic loops. It will consequently change the parameters ofvibrations, and the parameter signals will be input as a feedback intothe central control unit. The gradient method program will produce theoutput regulating signals until the parameters are minimized topredetermined acceptable levels, or until the exponential form of thedamping process is achieved.

Example of Operation of Third Embodiment

The following example shows how the pneumatic loops are created. Supposethe current average wind load (shown by double-arrows) on the sidewallzone including chambers 10B, 10A, 10T, 10S, illustrated on FIG. 16, isgreater than for the other three sidewall zones. Also, suppose thecurrent average wind load on this zone corresponds to the pre-set level6. Central control unit 30, according to the above described order,computes a particular configuration of the pneumatic loops that must beinvolved in the damping process, sends regulating signals, which switchinto the required states the connecting units 33VAT, 33VBA, 33VCB,33VDC, 33VED, 33VFE, 33VGF for the first pneumatic loop, and 33VAT,33VTS, 33VSR, 33VRQ, 33VQP, 33VPO, 33VON for the second loop. This willconnect chambers 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F and 10F′, 10E′, 10D′,10C′, 10B′, 10A′ into the first loop, and 10T, 10S, 10R, 10Q, 10P, 10Q,and 10O′, 10P′, 10Q′, 10R′, 10S′, 10T′ into the second loop. FIG. 18illustrates a fragment of the first loop, which involves externalchambers 10A, 10B, and partially 10C, and internal chambers 10A′, 10B′,and partially 10C′, showing by arrows the direction of the pressure wavepropagation for each of the chambers. It also shows that valves 33-IIIand 33-IV of connecting unit 33VAT are in the upward opened state,valves 33-I of connecting units 33VBA and 33VCB are in the forwardopened state, valves 33-II of connecting units 33VBA and 33VCB are inthe backward opened state. All the other shown valves are in the closedstate. Connecting unit 33 VAT is common for the two pneumatic loops, butisolates the first loop from the second loop by switching valves 33-IIIand 33-IV in the upward opened state, and 33-I and 33-II in the closedstate. Therefore twelve chambers are involved for each pneumatic loop inthe damping process for level 6. Respectively, for level 7, fourteenchambers will be involved, and so on. Of course, the numbers are chosenarbitrarily to demonstrate the relationship. The size of a pneumaticloop would generally correspond to the amount of wind energy, which theloop is capable to dissipate during the damping process in a mild form.It is desirable, that the programming of block 34 be completed on thesite where the device is installed to achieve a milder form of thedamping, using for instance equipment capable to simulate wind loads anda means to measure the vibrations of the object's structure.

Description of Other Implementations of Third Embodiment

Other implementations of the control means are possible. For example,the control means comprising a connecting unit (not shown herein)partially similar to connecting unit 33 may be designed consisting onlyof two two-way valves, “almost like 33-I and 33-II” (not shown herein).They would, however, differ from the valves 33-I and 33-II describedabove in that they are not capable to be regulated by an outsideregulating electrical signal. Instead, they would be triggered into theforward opened state (or into the backward opened state) from the closedstate by the difference of the pressures on their ends. Suppose, such aself-regulating valve would switch to the opened state when the pressuredifference is more than 6% and a wind load adds 10% of pressure in thefirst chamber of the loop. Suppose, also, that when an additionalchamber joins the pneumatic loop, the extra pressure in the loop reducesby 1% (chosen arbitrarily). This means, that when four such connectingunits sequentially open their forward directed valves (i.e. triggeredinto the forward opened state), the pressure difference between thefifth chamber and the sixth chamber would be equal or less than 6%, andthus the forward directed valve of the fifth connecting unit will not betriggered into the opened state. When the load force decreases (the windpressure drops), the backward directed valves will start to trigger intothe backward opened state, and therefore the backward wave willpropagate in the opposite direction continuously dissipating the energyof the compressed inner fluid. In this case only five chambers will beinvolved in the pneumatic loop.

Generally, the greater the wind impact, the more chambers should beinvolved in the damping process regulated by the self-regulating valves.There are different conventional types of such valves; some of them areused, for instance, in automobile engines. This device implementationmay also have a two-layer or multi-layer version, where, for example,the chambers of the external layer are connected by self-regulatingvalves, whereas the chambers of the internal layer (pneumaticallyseparated from the external layer) are connected by simple hoses,similar to connecting hoses 40 of the first embodiment, stabilizing thecushioning effect. This self-regulating valve implementation differsfrom the above described implementations of the third embodiment in thatit should be less expensive and simpler to build, but generally may bedifficult to tune the device or change the valve's preset levels oftriggering pressure into the opened state, though not impossible.

Description of Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment is particularly dedicated to further developmentof the cushioning means. The device of the fourth embodiment furthercomprises additional cushioning means to increase the aforesaid dampingof high wind loads. The device exemplified below preferably includeschambers (10) of the simple shape implementation of the firstembodiment, inflatable with a suitable inner fluid, one of which isdepicted on FIG. 20, with connecting hoses similar to hoses 40 (notshown on FIG. 20), all described in the first embodiment.

It is also possible to adapt the additional cushioning means of thefourth embodiment for use with the cushioning means of the otherembodiments or implementations of the device described herein withroutine constructive modifications.

Analogously to the first embodiment, the chambers of this embodiment areenclosed in cover (21), with fasten means (26), where the outer surfaceof cover 21 is preferably coupled with fence screen (22). Thisimplementation may, for example, use the same supporting means forattachment to the frangible object 50, as described in the firstembodiment, that is brackets 61 with rods 67 and straps 29 shown onFIGS. 35 and 37, or battens 54 and corner holders 55 illustrated onFIGS. 9 and 10, depending on the type of the fence means used.

The additional cushioning means generally include a number of identicalapparatus. Each of the apparatus is substantially a magnetic inductiondynamical generator or engine, further called a MID-device. In thefourth embodiment of the invention, the MO-device is enclosed in cover21, and exemplified as follows.

The MID-device generally comprises magnetic means. In thisimplementation, the magnetic means comprise a plurality, at least two,preferably identical magnetic members in the form of flexible magneticsheets (71) with a plurality of flat ferromagnetic plates (70) of asuitable shape and size, superimposed on and attached to sheets 71. Anexemplary square-like shape of plates 70 is shown on FIG. 21, showingthe plates and the sheets in an isometric view.

Optionally, instead of the ferromagnetic plates 70, sheets 71 maycontain magnetic materials in an appropriate form embedded in theirstructure. Sheets 71 may also be made of suitable elastic compositescontaining a ferromagnetic component. The plurality of flexible sheets71 includes at least one sheet, further called a frontal sheet 71, inthis implementation of the fourth embodiment properly coupled with theinner front surface of cover 21 and positioned in front of chamber 10,as illustrated on FIG. 20. The plurality of flexible sheets 71 includesat least one sheet, further called a rear sheet 71, and in thisimplementation positioned behind chamber 10. It should be positionedpreferably after the chamber is inflated to avoid a delay and wastingadditional power while inflating the chamber. The back surface offrontal sheet 71 and the front surface of rear sheet 71 are preferablyin a mechanical contact with the corresponding sides of chamber 10 whenthe ND-device is assembled.

The MID-device generally comprises elastic means. In this particularimplementation, chamber 10 being part of the cushioning means of thedevice is simultaneously part of the MID-device, forming said elasticmeans.

The MID-device generally includes electrically insulation means, hereexemplified as a flexible insulation sheet (72) made of a suitabledielectric material. FIGS. 20 and 21 depict insulation sheet 72,positioned behind the back surface of rear sheet 71.

The MID-device includes electrically conducting means, hereinexemplified as a conducting sheet (74) that is disposed behindinsulation sheet 72 as shown on FIGS. 20 and 21. Conducting sheet 74 ispreferably made of a flexible base material with an electricallyconducting layer continuously superimposed thereon, or electricalconducting wires, threads, strips, or a plurality of interconnectedconducting plates embedded in the base structure of the material (notshown herein).

Optionally conducting sheet 74 may be laminated with an insulation meansin the form of dielectric layers (not shown herein), which wouldsubstitute the insulation sheet 72. Also, the magnetic material mayoptionally be superimposed on or embedded in the material of the frontand rear sides of the chamber itself (not shown herein), substitutingsheets 71, in which case insulation sheet 72 and conducting sheet 74would be positioned behind the back of the chamber. Such a constructionof the chamber would speed up its deflating after the use, though woulddelay its inflating.

The MID-device includes fixing means essentially immovably disposed in acoordinate system. In this implementation of the fourth embodiment, thefixing means are substantiated in the form of cover 21 enclosing theabove described elements of the MID-device. The cover 21 is secured tothe structure of the frangible object by the supporting means, forexample, brackets 61 with rods 67 and straps 29 shown on FIGS. 35 and37, or another version of the supporting means as described herein. Inthe other words, this implementation deploys a part of the fence means(cover 21) and the supporting means of the device to perform thefunction of the fixing means of the MID-device, that is essentiallyimmovable attaching to the object's structure established on the ground,which represents the coordinate system for the given example of theMID-device.

Operation of the MID-device in Fourth Embodiment

The operation of the MID-device in this implementation of the fourthembodiment is based on the following: the wind alternative load orimpact received by the fence screen will be transmitted to and deformthe elastic means represented here as chamber 10, and bring the magneticmembers, that is flexible sheets 71 in this example, closer to eachother that will increase the magnetic field around them inducing anelectric current in the conducting means, i.e. conducting sheet 74. Theinduced current will cause the heating of conducting sheet 74. Theelastic means (chamber 10 in the example) returns the magnetic members(sheets 71) to their initial position after the impacts or alternativeloads discontinue. The elastic means may also create a condition forproducing higher frequencies oscillations of the magnetic members, whichwill induce the higher frequencies currents in the conducting meanscausing more effective dissipation of the impacts' or loads' energygenerally resulting in more heating of the conducting means. The fixingmeans (in the example: cover 21 and the elements of any described typeof the supporting means) provide a positioning of the rear magneticmember substantially immovable within the coordinate system (here is thefrangible object founded on the ground). This provides for a movement ofthe magnetic members relatively to each other, causing the change oftheir resultant magnetic field, and consequently the inducing ofelectric current in the conducting means (sheet 74).

The dissipation of the wind energy and transforming it into the inducedelectric current and eventually into the heat can be used to warm up thefrangible object. It might also be possible to use the induced currentfor electrical lighting of objects subjected to alternative wind loadsby providing a special circuitry for the induced current (not shown).For instance, instead of a stand alone sheet 74 conducting coils may beused, connected to suitable electrical bulbs mounted inside or outsidethe object.

The induced current will also create an additional damping effect of theelectromagnetic nature, which damps the movement of the magneticmembers. Herein this effect will cause a deceleration of frontal sheet71 coupled with screen 22, tending to repulse them, or push them away ofrear sheet 71 and conducting sheet 74 both depressed against thestructure. The electromagnetic damping and heating effects are caused bythe electromagnetic field of the induced electrical current andpartially depends on the conductivity of the conducting means that issheet 74. The stronger the impact is, the greater the effects will be,which will extend the damping time and reduce the amplitude of the forceexerted onto the object's structure. The intensiveness of theelectromagnetic effect also depends on magnetizability of theferromagnetic material used for plates 70, and the distance betweensheets 71. Obviously, the ferromagnetic material should havesufficiently high magnetizability to provide said effects. The distancebetween sheets 71 can be constructively reduced by a modification of thedevice to substantially increase their resultant electromagnetic field.

As mentioned above, the MID-device of the fourth embodiment might beimplemented not only for two magnetic members, but also for a pluralityof such members. Generally, they are placed a distance from each other.The elastic means are disposed inside each adjacent pair of the members.The conducting means may be represented by a plurality of conductingsheets embedded in (a means for heat outcome should be considered) suchelastic means simultaneously serving as insulation means. The conductingmeans may also be performed as printed conducting plates, conductingcoils, solenoids, and other similar conventional means for creation acircuitry for induced electric current. These conducting means mayadditionally increase the electromagnetic damping effect, e.g. in somespecial implementations the magnetic members may be constructed aselectromagnets having additional sources of electric current.

Description of Modified Device of Fourth Embodiment

A modified device of the fourth embodiment is illustrated on FIG. 22.The modified device comprises chamber 10 as the cushioning means, thefence means in the form of cover 21 enclosing chamber 10, and fencescreen 22 preferably coupled with cover 21.

The modified device of the fourth embodiment also comprises a number ofthe MID-devices preferably equal to the number of the chambers. TheMID-device and chamber 10 are enclosed in cover 21 coupled with screen22, as illustrated on FIG. 22. The MID-device includes the followingelements:

-   -   the fixing means comprising cover 21 secured on the structure by        the supporting means described in the first embodiment;    -   the magnetic means comprising a plurality of magnetic members        including at least and exemplified here as frontal and rear        sheets 71 with superimposed magnetic plates 70;    -   the insulation means in the form of sheet 72,    -   the electrical conducting means in the form of conducting sheet        74;    -   the elastic means in the form of an impact absorbing insertion        (75) disposed between sheets 71. Chamber 10 is placed behind the        front of cover 21 coupled with screen 22. Each MID-device is        entirely disposed behind its corresponding chamber 10 in this        modification.

The order of positions of the ND-device elements follows: frontal sheet71, insertion 75, rear sheet 71, insulation sheet 72, and conductingsheet 74, which is depicted on the sectional view on FIG. 22. In somespecial applications it can be useful to change the order of theseelements, e.g. to place the conducting sheet in front of the frontalmagnetic sheet, or even combine the conducting sheet with the fencescreen, especially for the fence net screen implementation of the firstembodiment. It is however important that the rear sheet be substantiallyimmovably supported by the fixing means for the above indicated reasons.

Since the width size between the front and the back of the inflatedchamber 10 is determined by its material and other factors mentioned inthe description of the first embodiment and in general is restricted forsubstantial changes, the distance between sheets 71 may be reduced byplacing them both behind chamber 10, that is accomplished in themodification. The distance here is determined by the width of insertion75 disposed between sheets 71, which can be substantially less than thewidth size of chamber 21. This allows intensifying the resultantmagnetic field of the magnetic members (in the example: frontal and rearmagnetic sheets 71), and as a result to increase the electromagneticdamping and hearing effects. For this reason, the version of MID-deviceembedded in the modification is considered to be preferred.

Impact absorbing insertion 75 can be made, for example, of suitablekinds of porous rubber or other elastic materials or composites,possessing necessary spring properties. Since initial magnetic forcesbetween sheets 71 may be substantial, insertion 75 should be strongenough to restrain their attraction and keep them a distance, and toreturn sheets 71 to their initial position after the impacts oralternative loads discontinue. On the other hand, insertion 75 should besufficiently elastic to easily change its thickness under the impactforce, causing possible greater changes in the distance between sheets71 to induce greater electric current in sheet 74.

Therefore, it may be efficient to combine materials of different extentof elasticity for construction of the insertion. Proper materials, whoseelasticity depends on the amplitude of an alternative impact or loadimposed thereon, may be useful in insertion 75 of the device.

For some constructions of the insertion, it may be beneficial to useconditional or custom-made springs (not shown herein) of suitableshapes, made of appropriate materials. An insertion comprising apolymeric pad confining fluid bubbles, acting similar to springs whendepressed, might be suitable in certain types of the device as well. Theuse of springs with magnetic properties may contribute to the resultantmagnetic field of the MID-device to increase it. Conventionally knownmagnetic fluids can be placed in a bladder or bladders encapsulated inthe insertion. When such an insertion, having its own magneticproperties, is subjected to alternative load forces, it would generatean additional changing electromagnetic field generally includingdifferent frequencies, inducing additional harmonics of electric currentin sheet 74, increasing the dissipation. Such magnetic insertion withthe magnetic members may produce an additional damping effectconditioned by the changing of magnetic polarity described in theCanadian patent 10,239 to Wesley W. Gary. Similar effect may be producedby a MID-device with non-magnetic insertions if the number of magneticmembers is three or greater. A more substantial increase of the dampingmay be achieved, if the rear magnetic member is performed as a permanentmagnet with a sufficiently high magnetic field.

The MID-device deploying the insertion may also be used in combinationwith the earlier described bladder-panel (the ferromagnetic sheets withthe insertion and the electrically insulated conducting sheet can beplaced behind the bladder-panel, or the bladder-panel itself may be usedas the impact absorbing insertion) or with the other implementationsabove. The MID-device can be utilized for some other particular purposesdescribed in the next embodiment.

Description of MID-device in Fifth Embodiment

The fifth embodiment further explores possible applications andutilizations of the MID-device previously described in the fourthembodiment.

The MID-device of the fifth embodiment is illustrated on FIG. 23, andcomprises

-   -   the fixing means in the form of an envelope (77) with fasten        means (26). The envelope 77 is immovably supported in a        coordinate system of the object supporting and interacting with        the MID-device, and is preferably made of suitable flexible        dielectric materials with a sufficient heat-conducting        characteristic;    -   the magnetic means including a plurality of magnetic members in        the form of flexible magnetic sheets (71) with magnetic plates        (70) superimposed on sheets 71. In this implementation only two        magnetic sheets are exemplified: the frontal sheet 71 shown in        the upper part of FIG. 23, and the rear sheet 71 shown in the        lower part of FIG. 23;    -   the insulation means including insulation sheet (72) positioned        behind the rear sheet 71;    -   the electrical conducting means including conducting sheet (74)        positioned behind insulation sheet 72;    -   the elastic means including an impact absorbing insertion (75)        disposed between the frontal and rear sheets 71.        Envelope 77 encloses the flexible magnetic sheets 71, insulation        sheet 72, conducting sheet 74, and impact absorbing insertion        75.

The MID-device of the fifth embodiment generally operates in the samefashion as for the fourth embodiment, but its heating, electromagnetic,or electro-dynamic effects are utilized in a different measure dependingon the purpose of its application.

Heater Applications of MID-Device

As it was mentioned in the fourth embodiment section, the dissipation ofthe wind energy and transforming it into the induced electric currentand eventually into the heat can be used to warm up the frangibleobject. It is also usable in general for heating of a heat-consumingobject, for example, personal heater means for protection against coldweather.

All the elements of the MID-device may be made of those materialsdescribed for the respective elements in the fourth embodiment or otherappropriate materials, capable to provide the heating effect of theinduced electrical current mentioned above and to substantially directthe heat flow toward the heat-consuming object, that is to a heatconsuming direction. For this particular application it is alsoimportant that the materials of insulation sheet 72 have sufficient heatisolation properties to possibly prevent the heat flow from conductingsheet 74 to the rear magnetic sheet 71 that is opposite to the heatconsuming direction. Sheet 74 may have shining or glossy surface fromthe side of sheet 72, and blacked surface from the opposite side toprovide better heat radiation toward the heat consuming direction.Insertion 75 may be performed in different versions generally describedin the fourth embodiment.

The MID-device of this embodiment, subjected to an alternative outerforce and producing the heating effect, may be used, for example, indesigning of individual heater means, particularly clothing or footwearfor cold and windy weather conditions.

For instance, the MID-device may be built in gloves. In the glovesimplementation it would be preferable to have thin flexible sheets 71with a narrow ferromagnetic layer superimposed thereon, or such sheetsmade of mixed materials containing a ferromagnetic component ofsufficient magnetizability. Conducting sheet 74 should be made offlexible material containing electrically conducting powder, or thinconducting threads, or other such means to provide sufficientconductivity and circuits for the induced electrical current. Insulationsheet 72 can be performed in the form of a dielectric layer continuouslycoupled with conducting sheet 74 and electrically isolating it from theadjacent magnetic sheet 71. Envelope 77 is also made of a suitableelectrically insulation material, but the rear part of the envelopepositioned across the heat consuming direction (from sheet 74 to thehands) must be made of materials with a substantial heat-conductingproperty. Therefore, it may be reasonable to perform the rear part ofenvelope 77 from a different material than the frontal part, whichfrontal part generally may require high heat insulation properties toinsulate the hands from the outside low temperature.

Materials used for electrical insulation and heat conducting inconventional personal electrical heaters placed on the human body may beuseful in the designing of envelope 77. In general, a high level ofelectrical insulation is not required in the MID-devices (whichdistinguish them from the conventional electrical heaters connected tostandard home outlets) of fourth and fifth embodiments, since theinduced voltage is expected to be of essentially low figures (it isgenerally in the opposite proportion to the conductivity of conductingsheet 74), and therefore should not cause any hazard to the personprotected from cold air by such MID-devices. Since the energy of theelectromagnetic field is essentially transformed into heat in conductingsheet 74, which also serves as an electromagnetic screen, and since thefrequency of the electromagnetic field is expected to be low (it isgenerally proportional to the frequencies of the alternative forcesapplied to the frontal sheet 71 of the MID-device), the surroundinghumans and animals should not be negatively affected by theelectromagnetic field.

The gloves may warm up the hands simply by clapping the hands. Otherways of activations of the gloves in cold weather conditions are bysubjecting them to vibrations, for instance, during the use of a powertool by a worker wearing the gloves, or the like. The saddle of amotorcycle or the jacket of the driver may also be furnished with such aMID-device to warm them up in cold weather.

Such a heating MID-device may be enclosed in shoes, boots, etc. as apad, during cold weather, and be activated when the person walks, jumps,or runs. Similar pads may be enclosed in a jacket or a coat to be wornduring cold and windy conditions, and activated by the hands and by thehigh winds. A tent or a sleeping bag may have a layer in the form of aMID-device to warm it up by the wind impacts.

Other Possible Utilizations of MID-Device

Since the MID-device is essentially an electrical generator, it may beused as such. A MID-device can transform the impacts of ocean waves intoelectric power. Mounted on the sea bottom, appropriate polls or postswith bars or stretched strings arranged across and between, and securedto them, and envelopes, similar to envelope 77, fixed to the strings orbars, each enclosing a MID-devices, may be used as the fixing means. Thestrings or bars should be preferably disposed closely to the surface ofthe sea to better utilize the waves power. The strings or bars mustsubstantially immovably support the rear magnetic members of theMID-devices. The electrical conducting means may be performed aselectrical coils and sequentially or in parallel connected intoelectrical circuits. Induced currents of low frequencies may betransformed into direct electric current by conventional means, such asrectifiers. Such MID-device may also be installed on a ship or afloating platform, often subjected to ocean waves impacts.

The same principle of the alternative load transformation into inducedelectric current may be applied in a combination of the MID-device witha conventional wind-electrical generator. A special construction of theMID-device may directly transform the wind energy into electric power.As an example, the blades propelled by the wind may rotate the magneticmembers performed in the form of coincided cylinders around a verticalaxle, so that creating a changing pressure on different parts of thefrontal magnetic member, continuously generating electric power inaddition to the power conventionally generated due to the rotation ofthe blades. The MID-devices generators generally distinguish fromconventional hydro-electrical and wind-electrical generators in that themechanical forces of the outer fluid flow are exerted onto anddistributed throughout the entire continuous surface of the frontalmagnetic member of the MID-device, versus the application of such forcesto the limited surface of blades of the conventional mechanisms coupledwith electrical generators.

Since the MID-device is also essentially an electrical engine, it may beused, for example, for moving of ships or other floatable means. SuchMID-device may comprise the conducting means in the form ofelectromagnetic inductors, fixed to a ship's frame. The inductorsconnected to a source of electric power may carry alternative electriccurrent of a predetermined waveform. The electric current will create analternative electromagnetic field, which will cause an oscillatingmovement of the magnetic members. The rear magnetic member is immovablysecured to the inductor, while the frontal magnetic member is coupledwith a propeller of a suitable construction. A plurality of MID-devicesmay also be installed along the length of a floatable vehicle. Themagnetic members may be shaped as concentric half-rings, wherein theoutmost member is the frontal member. The magnetic members can beenclosed in a common cover. If the inductors of the MID-devices carrythe alternative electric currents with different phases, a transversewave would be spread through the cover, which may propel the floatablevehicle in a water environment.

Since the MID-device is also essentially an electromagnetic dampingdevice (as shown in the fourth embodiment for high wind loads), it maybe used, for example, for the damping of an air blast or a shockwave ofan explosion. A frangible object's surface covered by such MID-devicesfixed to the structure and disposed behind special screens may beprotected against such blasts or shockwaves in the air, water, oranother fluid environment. MID-devices can be specifically implementedto reduce cavitation. They may also be used for protection of frangibleobjects against waves in a solid environment, such as earthquake waves,etc.

Description and Operation of Sixth Embodiment

The sixth embodiment is directed to further development of thesupporting means of the device for protection of the frangible objectagainst high winds and hurricanes. The device of the sixth embodimentand its parts are depicted on FIGS. 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28. Thisembodiment is intended to be used for frangible objects having astructure, which is not strong enough to sustain wind loads and missilesimpacts even dissipated by the cushioning means described in the aboveembodiments. The device may be used where it's especially important tosubstantially avoid vibrations of the structure caused by the winds.This becomes possible where the wind protection device and the frangibleobject to be protected are not mechanically jointed to each other.

According to the sixth embodiment, the device comprises supporting meansincluding a plurality of supporting posts (80), one of which is shown ina sectional view on FIG. 24, and on FIG. 25, substantially verticallydisposed on the ground around the object. In general posts 80 are madeexpandable (or optionally removable, not shown herein), to avoidencumbering the space around the object in absence of high winds andhurricanes. In other cases the posts can be made non-expandable andnon-removable, which may substantially simplify the construction.Supporting post 80 exemplified and illustrated on FIG. 24 is made as aplurality of telescopically jointed and expandable elongated hollowbarrels. In the example, there are shown on FIG. 24 three said barrels:a lower barrel (82), intermediate barrel (84), and upper barrel (86) ofdifferent length, having a cylindrical shape. Of course, the number ofbarrels here is chosen arbitrarily.

The barrels are preferably made of a suitable metal or another materialhaving similar rigidness characteristics. They must be strong enough, sothat the construction would be capable to sustain the maximum foreseenwind load without deformation. The most inner upper barrel 86 has theleast diameter to snug-fit into the intermediate barrel 84telescopically enclosing it. The intermediate barrel 84 snug-fits intothe next enclosing lower barrel 82, which is respectively wider thanbarrel 84. The length of barrel 86 is greater than of barrel 84, whichin turn is greater than of barrel 82. The barrels are capable to freelyslide in both directions within certain limits.

Each barrel has a footing flunge, correspondingly (82D), (84D), and(86D). Flunge 86 is made in the form of a round piston, shown on FIGS.24, 25, or optionally can be made in an annular shape (not shown).Flunges 84D and 82D are made in an annular shape as shown on FIGS. 24,25. An underground hollow (87) is arranged to place in post 80 absencehigh winds.

The supporting means of the device include a generally annular base rim(81), which covers the upper edge of hole 87. Flunges 86D, 84D, and 82Dare used to set the limits of the upward movement of the barrels, wherethe flunges meet each other and flunge 82D meets base rim 81 in ahighest end position of post 80 reflected on FIG. 24.

Post 80 has a lowest end position shown on FIG. 25 where its barrels arefreely collapsed into underground hollow 87 until flunge 86D meets thebottom of hollow 87. The inner walls of hollow 87 are shaped in threeadjacent hollow cylindrical portions of different diameters. Thediameter of the lowest narrowest portion allows flunge 86D to passthrough down, but not flunge 84D, which rests on the annular bottom edgeof the intermediate portion of hollow 87 in the lowest end position.Analogously in the lowest end position, flunge 82D rests on the annularbottom edge of the upper portion of hollow 87. In this position, thetops of flunges 86D, 84D, and 82D are disposed slightly below the groundlevel, and then base rim 81 may be properly and safely covered in normalweather conditions.

The inner walls of hollow 87 and base rim 81 are preferably made ofconcrete or another suitable material. Each barrel 82, 84, and 86 has afixing through hole respectively (82H), (84H), and (86H) of equaldiameters, made in the barrels in a horizontal direction in such a waythat in the highest end position of post 80 the center axles of thefixing holes are coincided and situated slightly above the ground level.

The lifting of the barrels from the lowest end position into the highestend position may preferably be accomplished by pulling a pull string(86S) shown on FIGS. 25 and 26. Pull string 86S is preferably made ofsuitable metal threads, or another material capable at least to supportthe weight of the construction. Pull string 86S is secured by its lowerend to flange 86D, passed inside barrel 86 along its height. In normalweather conditions, using a suitable means (not shown), pull string 86Sis locked by its upper end to a bracket (86U) mounted on the top ofbarrel 86 that is shown on FIG. 25.

FIG. 26 illustrates in isometric view four posts 80 in the highest endpositions with pull strings 86S passed through brackets 86U of theneighbor post 80, and by their upper ends locked to anchors (81A)mounted on base rim 81 of the neighbor post 80. Pulling up the pullstring allows beginning the lifting of flunge 86D with barrel 86. Whenflunge 86D catches flunge 84D, barrel 84 also begins lifting; and whenflunge 84D catches flunge 82D, all barrels 86, 84, and 82 are lifted,until barrel 82D catches base rim 81 in which point post 80 reaches itshighest end position shown on FIG. 24. At this point barrels 82, 84, and86 are fixed by fixing means preferably in the form of fixing bolt (88B)and fixing nut (88N), depicted on FIG. 24, by inserting bolt 88B in thecoincided horizontal holes of all the barrels, and tightening nut 88N onbolt 88B. Optionally, the barrels may be fixed in the highest endposition by other suitable fixing means.

The device comprises intermediate supporting means, constructedpreferably in the form of attachable (under hurricane or high windconditions) and removable (under normal weather conditions) holdingshelves (83) shown on FIG. 27, and illustrated in detail on theisometric view of FIG. 28. Shelf 83 is preferably shaped as two halvesof an annular figure and attached by bolts (83B), or other proper means,to the outer walls of barrels 86 and 84 in the places slightly above thetops of barrel 84 and barrel 82 correspondingly in the highest endposition of post 80 as reflected on the sectional view of FIG. 27. Eachhalf of shelf 83 has a through hole (83H).

The device comprises cushioning means in the form of chambers (12)—theupper layer chambers, (14)—the intermediate layer chambers, and (16)—thelower layer chambers, all inflatable by a suitable inner fluid, similarto chambers 10 described in the first embodiment, but having preferablya toroid-like shape shown on FIGS. 26 and 27. The number of the verticallayers preferably corresponds to the number of barrels in post 80,mostly determined by the height of the frangible object. The outerdiameters of chambers 12, 14, and 16 are essentially equal, while theinner diameters of the chambers are different, allowing thecorresponding barrels 82, 84, and 86 to fit in the chambers, as depictedon FIG. 27. In the highest end position of posts 80, chambers 14 and 16are installed being supported by holding shelves 83 attachedrespectively to the intermediate and upper barrels as described above,and chamber 12 is installed and being rested upon base rim 81. The pairof chambers 12 and 14, and the pair of chamber 14 and 16, arerespectively connected by connecting hoses (40), shown on FIG. 27.

Connecting hoses 40 are passed through holes 83H described above, shownon FIG. 28. FIG. 27 shows chamber 12 having an aperture (48) on itslower part. A connecting duct (47) is connected to apertures 48 of twochambers 12 pertaining to two neighboring posts 80, which is illustratedon FIG. 27. Aperture 48 is also used to inflate the chambers with theuse of hub 41 and inlet hose 42 described in the first embodiment, shownon FIG. 11, or otherwise. Connecting duct 47 may be performed as a pipeor a hose, preferably embedded in the ground. Optionally, a differentorder of chambers connection is also possible, e.g. by arrangement ofthe odd and even chains of chambers similarly to that described in thefirst embodiment, which may require additional routine constructivechanges.

The device comprises fence means in the form of a common fence screen(not shown) similar to fence screen 22 of the first embodiment, which istightly stretched around inflated chambers 12, 14, and 16, installed onposts 80 surrounding the frangible object. This may be accomplished inthe following manner: the fence screen is preferably coupled by themeans described in the first embodiment or otherwise to the outer cornersectors of covers (not shown herein and similar to cover 21) of a shapecooperating with the outward surface of chambers 12, 14, and 16. Thisassembly is preferably pre-fabricated. On the object's site, each of thechambers is first enclosed into its individual cover, which is thenlocked or zipped. The chambers are installed on the posts and supportedby the holding shelves. The fence screen is wrapped around the area andlocked, surrounding chambers 12, 14, and 16, posts 80, and the frangibleobject. Thereafter the chambers are inflated and the fence screen willbe stretched.

If more convenient for assembling and storage, separate for each layerfence screens or fence strips (not shown herein) similar to screen 22,may be used, surrounding only chambers 12, or 14, or 16 of all posts 80,and one of the separate fence screens can be joined to the othervertically adjacent separate screen by straps 29 shown on FIGS. 12, 33,by zippers, Velcro™ strips, or otherwise. The common fence screen orupper separate screen may be attached (not shown) by suitable means topull strings 86S, when the strings are stretched and locked in thehighest end positions of posts 80.

The operation of the device of the sixth embodiment does not essentiallydiffer from the device of the first embodiment, except that the dampedimpact of the wind is not eventually transferred to the frangibleobject's structure, but to the posts and finally the ground. The devicein this embodiment may also be used as a permanent fence around a house,protecting not only against high winds, but also against floods,provided the device would be made water impervious.

1. A device for protection of a frangible object against mechanicalloads or impacts, especially caused by a flow of an outer fluid,comprising a number of cushioning means for damping of said loads orimpacts, and supporting means for support of said cushioning means andpositioning them relatively to the frangible object, said supportingmeans configured to cooperate with said cushioning means.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said cushioning means comprising a numberof flexible bladder-panels each including a plurality of inflatablebladders, inflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid, saidbladder-panels having means for inflating, said bladder-panels supportedby said supporting means, said bladder-panels each disposed in front ofand covering the entire outward surface of said frangible object or aportion thereof, said bladder-panels each having connecting means forproviding a propagation of the changing pressure of said body of theinner fluid between the pneumatically adjacent to each other bladderssaid connecting means generally including internal connecting means forconnection of the pneumatically adjacent bladders within each one saidbladder-panel, and external connecting means for interconnection of thepneumatically adjacent bladders situated on the edges of different saidbladder-panels; said supporting means having attachment means tocooperate with said bladder-panels.
 3. The device according to claim 1,wherein said device further comprising fence means for protection ofsaid cushioning means substantially from impacts of hard airborneobjects during high wind or hurricane conditions, said fence meansconfigured to cooperate with said cushioning and supporting means; saidcushioning means comprising a number of flexible bladder-panels eachincluding a plurality of inflatable bladders, inflated by a body of asuitable inner fluid, said bladder-panels having means for inflating,said bladder-panels supported by said supporting means, saidbladder-panels each having attachment means to cooperate with saidsupporting means, said bladder-panels each disposed in front of andcovering the outer surface of said frangible object or a portionthereof; and connecting means, for providing a propagation of thechanging pressure of said body of inner fluid between the pneumaticallyadjacent to each other said bladders, including internal connectingmeans for connection of the pneumatically adjacent bladders within eachone said bladder-panel excluding the bladders situated on the oppositevertical edges of the same bladder-panel, external connecting means forinterconnection of the pneumatically adjacent bladders situatedpreferably on the edges of different said bladder-panels or forinterconnection of the bladders situated on the opposite vertical edgesof one said bladder-panel.
 4. The device according to claim 3, whereinsaid fence means comprising a number of flexible covers, each enclosingpreferably one said bladder panel, said flexible covers each having onits upper and lower horizontal edges a reinforcing hem with eyes; saidbladder-panels each pre-constructed in a cylinder-like shape, having twoopposite vertical edges fastened by suitable conventional fasten means,and folded to form an internal and an external layers, wherein a numberof bladders situated on the two fastened opposite vertical edges of onebladder-panel pneumatically connected by said external connecting means;said supporting means comprising a plurality of brackets attached to thestructure of the frangible object, preferably mounted on the upper andlower parts of sidewalls of said frangible object, an upper and a lowerrods mounted on said brackets, and attachment means preferably in theform of straps passed through the eyes of said reinforcing hem of saidcover, and attached to said upper and lower rods by conventional fastenmeans.
 5. The device according to claim 3, wherein said fence meanscomprising a number of flexible covers, each enclosing preferably onesaid bladder panel, said flexible cover each having on its upper andlower horizontal edges a reinforcing hem with eyes, a plurality of fenceplates of a suitable shape and size superimposed on and attached to theoutward surface of each said cover with appropriate intervals,protecting said cover from initial impacts of said flying debris, saidfence plates made of materials capable to sustain strongest impacts ofsaid flying debris without being destroyed; said supporting meanscomprising a plurality of brackets supporting an upper and lower rodssecured on the outward surface of the frangible object, and attachmentmeans preferably in the form of straps passed through the eyes of saidreinforcing hem and attached to said upper and lower rods byconventional fasten means.
 6. The device according to claim 3, whereinsaid fence means comprising a number of flexible covers, each enclosingpreferably one said bladder panel, said flexible cover each having onits upper and lower horizontal edges a reinforcing hem with eyes, anumber of fence net screens, performed in the form of a net made of asuitable material, substantially capable to absorb the maximum expectedinitial impact of flying debris without being destroyed, said netscreens each preferably covering one sidewall of the frangible object;and said supporting means comprising a plurality of upper and lowerholders properly secured preferably to the upper and lower parts of thesidewall of said frangible object, an elongated upper frontal rod and anelongated upper rear rod mounted on and supported by said upper holders,an elongated lower frontal rod and an elongated lower rear rod mountedon and supported by said lower holders, attachment means preferably inthe form of straps, wherein some said straps passed through the eyes ofsaid upper and lower reinforcing hems of said cover and correspondinglyattached to said upper and lower rear rods by conventional fasten means,and the other straps with their first ends attached to the upper andlower horizontal edges of said net screen, and with the second endsattached to said upper and lower frontal rods by conventional fastenmeans.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device furthercomprising fence means for protection of said cushioning means fromimpacts of hard airborne objects, said fence means configured tocooperate with said cushioning and supporting means said fence meanssupported by said supporting means; and said cushioning means comprisinga plurality of inflatable chambers, inflated by a body of a suitableinner fluid, said chambers each having a shape to cooperate with saidfence means and supporting means, and connecting means for providing apropagation of the changing pressure of said body of inner fluid betweenthe pneumatically adjacent to each other chambers, said connecting meansadapted for connection with said chambers; said supporting means mountedon the structure of said frangible object.
 8. The device according toclaim 7, wherein said chambers each having a shape chosen from the groupconsisting essentially of a) a prism-like shape, b) a cylinder-likeshape, c) a shape formed by two prisms or cylinders combined in anX-like configuration, having apertures preferably on the bases surfacesof said prisms or cylinders, d) a shape formed by two prisms orcylinders combined in a plus-sign-like configuration, having aperturespreferably on the bases surfaces of said prisms or cylinders, e) a shapeformed by four prisms or cylinders combined in a frame-likeconfiguration, having apertures preferably on the outward side surfacesof said prisms or cylinders; wherein said apertures of the pneumaticallyadjacent chambers are connected by said connecting means, said chambersof the shapes (c), or (d), or (e) preferably united in panels havingseveral horizontal rows of chamber chains, said panels enclosed in saidfence means, attached to and positioned in front of the outward surfaceof said frangible object.
 9. The device according to claim 7, whereinsaid supporting means including suitable attachment means for joiningsaid fence means; said fence means comprising a number of flexiblecovers each enclosing a chain of said chambers positioned on the outwardsurface of said frangible object, a number of flexible continuous fencescreens preferably coupled with said flexible covers, disposed in frontof said covers and positioned so that having vertical intervals betweensaid fence screens, and a number of overlapping screens disposed apredetermined distance from the surface of said frangible object,covering the area of said vertical intervals between said fence screens;said fence screens and overlapping screens joined by said attachmentmeans.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device furthercomprising fence means for protection of said cushioning means fromimpacts of hard airborne objects during high wind or hurricaneconditions, said fence means configured to cooperate with saidcushioning and supporting means; and said supporting means comprising aplurality of supporting posts detached from the structure of saidfrangible object, preferably mounted on the ground area surrounding saidfrangible object, a plurality of base rims, each mounted on the groundsurface around each of said supporting posts, intermediate supportingmeans, capable to be removably secured on said posts; and saidcushioning means comprising a plurality of inflatable chambers, inflatedby a body of a suitable inner fluid, said chambers each having a shapeto cooperate with said fence means and supporting means, preferably atoroid-like shape, and connecting means for providing a propagation ofchanging pressure of said body of inner fluid between the pneumaticallyadjacent to each other chambers, said connecting means adapted forconnection with said chambers; said fence means stretchably installedaround the outer sectors of said chambers, surrounding said chambers,posts, and frangible object; the chambers and fence means supported bysaid intermediate supporting means and base rims.
 11. The deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein said supporting posts preferably madeexpandable and capable to be fixed by fixing means during high winds andto be removed, preferably under the ground, in the normal weatherconditions.
 12. The device according to claim 1, further comprisingcontrol means for regulation of the damping of high wind loads by saidcushioning means to provide a possible gentle sloping damping process,and to maximally reduce vibrations caused by said wind loads; saidcontrol means disposed in several suitable locations within orsurrounding the frangible object, cooperating with said cushioningmeans.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said device furthercomprising fence means for protection of said cushioning means fromimpacts of hard airborne objects during high wind or hurricaneconditions, said fence means configured to cooperate with saidcushioning and supporting means, said fence means supported by saidsupporting means; said supporting means mounted on the structure of saidfrangible object; said cushioning means comprising a plurality ofinflatable chambers each inflated with a body of a suitable inner fluid,said chambers each having a shape to cooperate with said fence means andsupporting means, said chambers arranged in chains having an internallayer positioned adjacent to the outward sidewalls of the frangibleobject, and an external layer positioned in front of the internal layer,the chambers of both layers secured to and covered by said fence means,and connecting means for providing a propagation of the changingpressure of said body of inner fluid between the pneumatically adjacentto each other chambers, said connecting means adapted for connectionwith said chambers said control means comprising a plurality of sensormeans mounted in predetermined spots preferably on said fence means,capable to measure the outside wind dynamic pressure exerted on thefence means covering the frangible object's surface or part thereof, andto transform the pressure into measure signals of a type of physicalnature for convenient processing, a plurality of control valveconnecting units for connection of the adjacent chambers, mountedpreferably on said fence means, said control valve connecting units eachincluding preferably four two-way directional valves pneumaticallyconnected preferably in a square-like configuration, wherein the cornersof the square pneumatically connected to the two adjacent chambers ofthe internal layer and to the two adjacent chambers of the externallayer, said valves capable to be switched by regulating signals into aclosed state, or forward opened state, or backward opened state, orupward opened state, or downward opened state, so that said controlvalve connecting units each capable to close and open in thesedirections the inner fluid flows between the four said adjacentchambers, thereby dynamically creating pneumatic loops confining saidpropagation of the changing pressure of an inner fluid body in a numberof connected said chambers of both layers, providing said damping in aregulated fashion, a central control unit disposed in a convenientlocation, capable to input said measure signals, compare the signalswith preset levels of dynamic pressure corresponding to predeterminednumbers of chambers to be connected in the pneumatic loops, calculatethe actual numbers of chambers to be connected in the pneumatic loops,determine the particular chambers of the device to be connected in thepneumatic loops, output said regulating signals, transmit the regulatingsignals to the respective control valve connecting units controlling theconnection of said particular chambers, receive feedback signals fromthese units, and maintain control of the state of all said control valveconnecting units. 14-17. (canceled)
 18. A method for protection of afrangible object from impacts or alternative mechanical loads especiallycreated by an outer fluid flow, comprising the acts of: providingcushioning means for damping of the impacts or alternative mechanicalloads; providing supporting means for support and positioning of saidcushioning means; and positioning said cushioning means outside of thefrangible object or portions thereof.
 19. The method according to claim18, wherein said cushioning means performed in a form chosen from thegroup consisting essentially of a) a plurality of inflatable chambersinflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid, and b) a number offlexible bladder-panels each including a plurality of inflatablebladders, inflated by a body of a suitable inner fluid.
 20. (canceled)